Having spent/wasted my early years from Childhood to age 20 in extreme folly, I know that that many of my first years as a new creature were somewhat wasted as I had serious trouble distinguishing peer approval from God's will. Over time and study I learned to tell the difference. Certainly I enjoy the approval of peers but I have to bask in doing the will of Christ, even if it be at the frown of folks I like. (I still like them regardless of their opinion of me).

An unknown but wise person on at least one account stated it well when uttering or scribbling: "You're not free in life until you are free of wanting the approval of others."

No sensible person goes about trying to start a fire. Good fellowship and a certain amount of approval in some area is necessary for unity of effort. Our unknown author of today's quote must have known that wanting the approval of loved ones, friends and co-laborers is a normal longing in the human heart that is essential in maintaining any modicum of civilization.

A wide gulf exists between wanting and craving. Wanting approval involves counting cost, craving leads to groveling which is much too high a price.

Consider Matthew 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."